Heh, left the menu on for a bit. I never noticed it switches to nighttime when you do, and a sexy little blue thing walks across the screen.
Anyway, back on track.
What an honor to be here! I have always wanted to get a closer look at this legendary island. Oh, pardon me, I'm talking too much. What can I do for you?
I think we've imposed on Brother Emmeran's hospitality long enough now.
We had an interesting talk. Yet much of what he said was still rather ... uh ... elliptical. But now we should take a closer look at this Tollgate. Or is there something else keeping us here?
Hah, elliptical is right. I want to get off this little hippy outpost.
We can set sail right away, as far as I'm concerned.
Please.
That's how I see it, too, Captain. Take us to the Tollgate!
Get ready to cast off! Set course for Elvenhus! We'll make a stop at Thûrstone.
Maps with a line showing your trip. Shades of RoA.
Delbrack had requested the Riverfather's blessing for his 'Thalaria', which we secured for him. After that we were finally able to set off for the Thûrstone Tollgate. While Ardo was full of confidence of having taken a huge step forward, I decided to keep a very close eye on this Cano fellow.
Forgrimm and Cano really don't get along at the start, but that changes as the story progresses.
The tollkeepers pull up the chain the moment the Thalaria passes, trapping us in until whatever toll they ask is paid.
I'm not liking this.
No need to be so unfriendly, I'm coming... I'll see what I can get out of these two. You take a look around. But stay out of trouble.
Stay out of trouble? No way.
Alright, I'm going to take a discreet look around the fortress.
You're going
nowhere alone, Scallywag! I want to keep an eye on you!
And they both run off.
Things won't go well between those two. It's a miracle they didn't try to throttle each other on the journey here. Let's make sure
we stick together, at least.
You're right, let's go together and see what we can find out.
Agreed. Before we look around the fortress, maybe we should try to find out more about what's going on here. I have a bad feeling about this place...
Oh no, does your little toe itch!? Surely we must change our plans completely then!
Fucking elves.
You'd better go on ahead and make sure those two don't fight. You know how they are. I have to stay here and take care of the formalities.
Hey, we're not finished here! You can chat when you're done with the toll procedure!
There's not a lot to see outside the Fortress. Seems like someone was smart enough to set up an inn to serve waiting merchants but otherwise it's just a small layover harbor. Here is one of those merchants, though a kind of shady one.
Efferd be with you! You're new here, aren't you? What's your ship called?
I don't see how that's any of your business.
Oh, of course not! I was just curious. In times like these, you want to know who you're dealing with. You might be one of those pirates for all I know! Hahaha!
Laugh your little laugh heathen. I believe your word as much as I believe a deont's.
Think of me what you will. The name of our ship is none of your affair.
Ah yes, the Thalaria ... that's the ship of Captain ... what's his name again?
Hah, they're not even trying to be subtle here.
Why do you want to know?
Oh, is it a secret? But it's probably that old Delbrack you're traveling with, right? Everyone along this river knows him. But you're not from round here, are you? What brings you here? You trading?
So he already knew? He's playing some mindgames.
Yes, err... we're merchants. We're taking our goods to Havena...
Ah, merchants... and you're traveling in a larger group, yes? Could I ask your names?
I am Avon Alriksson. My companions are Ardo, Dabro Foxshill, Gammlund and Fayra Flylow.
(In a whisper) I know you haven't been doing this for long, but in future I'll choose my own cover name, thank you very much!
Ah yes, thank you very much for your friendly answers. May Phex bless your dealings.
What? No more questions?
Oh no, I'm sure you have a lot to do, I don't want to intrude. May Efferd's currents bring you safely to your destination.
Who are you?
You can call me Varman. I often travel up and down the river on business.
Noting that name to check up on it later. He's got sleaze written all over him. Let's check up on the innkeeper.
Travia be with you!
Travia is another one of the Twelvegods. Goddess of home and farmers, that kind of stuff.
What's that funny chest behind you?
It belonged to Gero, my husband. I'm just clearing all his stuff out of my house.
What happened with Gero?
He left, the good-for-nothing. There was some Thorwalian hussy in the bar. He couldn't take his eyes off her. I wasn't paying attention because a bunch of guards had just come in, but suddenly they were both gone. She was huge. Arms like tree stumps. She's probably already broken him like a twig... he was such an idiot!
Thorwalian hussy? That doesn't make much sense. Thorwalian women come in at 6' or taller and with the build of an American football safety. Hussy isn't a word I'd usually use for em.
We could try to find Gero for you.
Bah! He can scrub the decks with his pirate bride, for all I care... I don't want to see that Travia-forsaken vagabond round here again! Oh yes, if you do find something out, let me know. Just keep an eye out for a good-for-nothing with a wooden leg.
What's in the chest?
Just Gero's stuff. No idea.
[Human Nature] Come on, I'm sure you know a bit more than that. He was your husband, after all.
Yes, but it won't be anything important. Gero was a good-for-nothing! Although he watched it like a hawk... except when he was looking at other women! Makes no difference now. I can't get the stupid thing open, anyway.
Is there a key for the chest?
Eyes on the prize.
Key? Ha! Not Gero! He was always so secretive with his things, that poser. He used to be a smuggler, you know... That's when he got his wooden leg. And he used it to lock the chest! So ridiculous! And now he's gone with his leg, and the chest is here. He probably just did it to annoy me...
The wooden leg is a key? Heh, nice way to make sure you won't lose your keys I guess.
What can you tell me about the Thûrstone Tollgate?
It used to be such a quiet little place. That's why me and my husband settled here. But then this Bloomfold became commandant. If one of the guards has his eye on you, you'd better watch out.
Something definitely isn't right here, but nothing solid to go on.
This cute little thing stops us as we pass by. Recycled model from Speltgood's daughter. They keep the recycling to really minor NPCs and enemies so eh, this is the first time I noticed and only because I'm LPing.
What's wrong? Why are you crying?
They arrested my betrothed and took him to the fortress, for no reason at all! The guards won't let me in and no one will tell me where he is. Please, help me!
Arresting a man is one thing, but seperating him from his Rastullah-given property? At least give her to a new husband so she is not left to wander. These people truly are barbarians.
Maybe I can help you. I'll keep an eye out for him when I'm in the fortress.
Really? May Travia bless you! My betrothed is called Felian. Please bring me news of him.
What do you know about the Thûrstone Tollgate?
Not much. Felian and I were traveling to Nadoret when they arrested him. I've been waiting in this horrible place ever since.
What can you tell me about your betrothed?
He's a wonderful man, with honest, loyal eyes and... Erm, he might still be wearing his gold engagement ring! That's if the guards haven't taken it
The game autosaves as I approach the bickering Ardo and Cano. In this game, that means either a fight or a choice is coming up! Gotta protect your players from their own decisions after all.
By Phex, you'll ruin everything with your crashing around! Do you really think the guards tell all their secrets to every little bawler that comes along?!
RENEGADE INTERRUPT!
Ah, there you are! Maybe you can talk some sense into this stubborn mule. Meanwhile, I can find an inconspicuous way into the fortress.
Save your sneaking around for your thieving jobs! I'm doing this my way! The honest way! You just make sure you stay out of my way!
Still arguing, are you? Maybe I should take a look for myself.
Pah, you greenhorn! How far do you think you'll get!?
Greenhorn? A heathen has no right to talk down to a servant of Rastullah so.
Probably further than
you, with your so-called plan, Forgrimm! Shorty here wants to just knock on the main gate. If I know him, we'll soon have the whole garrison on our backs. I'm sure, there must be a less conspicuous way.
Shorty?! One more word, and I'll make sure you can never sneak again! I'm doing this the honorable way! If they don't play along, that's their hard luck!
I do like Forgrimm, but I'm not sure about his plan here.
Tell me again, exactly what you intend to do, Forgrimm.
Right! I'll go in and ask these scoundrels a few questions. If they refuse to answer, I'll give them a few solid reasons to start talking. It's a tried and tested method and it saves time.
That's it? I mean, I appreciate the directness, but c'mon...
Lord of the Night preserve me! That's more Dwarven wisdom than I ever wanted to hear! I'm sure you're very impressed by such a cunning plan.
What is your plan, Cano?
Bah! You should be worried about your own filthy secrets, Scallywag! I'm going to do a little spring cleaning with my ax! That's how we do it!
Sorry Forgrimm but Cano's plan, while vague, makes more sense. So what do you think, Codex?
Hah just kidding, I'm going with Cano.
You're right, Cano. It is cleverer to be careful.
It's good to travel with someone with a bit of common sense. Just stay behind me and do as I say.
Pah! Go and creep through the weeds together then! I have work to do!
Forgrimm runs onto the bridge and the doors slam, Cano runs under the bridge. Your option is locked off in the dialog. Basically, it's what you expect: Forgrimm's path puts you through the middle of the fortress into a combat slog, Cano's...well you'll see.
Pah, you'd like that, wouldn't you! I'm not leaving until you open this gate!
I glance up as I follow Cano to find Forgrimm is already pissing people off.
Indeed!
Phew, urgh... I must admit, it smells pretty bad... well, er... sometimes you have to take unusual choices to maintain discretion. Please, after you!
Alright, let's go.
What if need to turn back?
Well, then we'll just open the... by Phex, I can't move the gate any more! Er, but everything else is going according to plan, right... if only it didn't smell so bad down here...
Master thief, here.
Let's just get this behind us. The sooner we're out of here, the better.
We should move as quietly as possible. Even in a place like this, you can never be sure that you're alone. But I'm sure you already know that, since you follow the way of the Fox yourself.
Why do you lie? You can just run around except when you get close to people. When there's even a 10 yard distance, you can run around free.
Cano is a deont of Phex. Deonts are people who have dedicated themselves to their diety of choice, in this case the god of thieves, merchants and travellers. These are all Cano or any other deont will have in this game, and you can't invest points in them, but they use a karma points which recharges about same as mana (actions that please your god, like lockpicking, make it recharge faster I think, game's a bit vague on it). Hail of Stars (also called Starscatter, sloppy localization is sloppy) and Stardust are combat attack and combat buff abilities, the cheapest available. Phex's Favor is a bump in thieving attributes, Divine Intervention adds free re-rolls and should always be active. A Better Offer temporarily charms opponents. It passes pretty fast at lower levels but it's damn useful. Without these abilities, Cano would be a pain in the ass, but he's ok with, provided you use them as much as you can.
Around the corner, we bump into a cutscene.
Hear something Snapper? Someone come?
Fat commander Bloomfold it is.
Ontho looks like he has some ogre blood in him. The River of Time has a tight party where basically we won't get anyone new in until we hit level 8, which I think works in keeping the story more focused and deepening out companions, but man, when I see an awesome (and obedient) half-ogre tank like that, the inner RPG party manager dreams of having him stomp bad guys for me. Any mods out there?
Yes, Ontho, you're a good boy! Listen to me, this is important! We've had a visit from a couple of snoopers. They might try to sneak in here.
Yes, yes, Ontho break all who come! And go look traps! Snapper guard here! All what Bloomfold want! Ontho always make Bloomfold happy!
Ah Ontho, you really are a gem, the finest in my collection, heehee!
That fat man there must have been Stitus Bloomfold, the fortress commandant. He matches Gerlin's description precisely. Except that 'fat slug' sounds a little too harmless...
Unfortunately, they're expecting us. People even seem to know why we're here. It seems someone was a little clumsy with their 'secret inquiries'... Anyway, we should definitely avoid running into that Ontho. Maybe we can distract him and his dog somehow. If we can get them both out of the room with the stairs, then we should be able to get into the fortress unseen. We just need to find some way of attracting their attention...
Hmm, he's all alone down here. Why don't we just overpower him?
By Phex, are you mad? Did you get a proper look at that fellow? There's a reason the Commandant only needs him to keep guard down here. Let's stay out of his way!
Fine, let's go.
You've got the leadership so you're free to just pick a fight with Ontho here. He is a 100VI tank though, and while it's easy if your PC is a damage-dealing mage or warrior, it becomes harder if he's not. It's not an impossible fight, but here's what I like best: it's not worth it. Beating Ontho and his dog nets you about 14 or so AP if I recall correctly, and some useless loot. Get past him without being spotted, and the game rewards you 70 AP.
The first problem is Ontho's rat traps, which he's coming to check up on, so you gotta get past them fast. They're not much of a problem as they only trip you up, though, have Cano or Fayris do some quick disarming.
Allons-y!
Past the traps, hiding behind the corner while Ontho goes to check up. He's going to re-set his traps which gives us a bit more time.
At this distance you better sneak. Another trap on and we're past Ontho, but the dog still remains.
Ah-hah!
A quick smash-up and we run fast before the rats attack us.
Jumping into the first niche nets us some old loot. Really odd is that these weapons, useless as they are, can only be found here. The Ontho model obviously never comes back either. Some unique stuff in this basement, in other words.
Hiding in the second niche, Snapper will run by at the call of his master (I missed the shot), some middling items in the chest. The way is clear!
His filthy living hole. The chest contains a key and a whole load of rat tails. I guess the cook back in Nadoret will be happy with those.
Clear!
Since it might be hard to figure exactly how I progress from screenshots, here's the map and route:
1. Cutscene 2. Hiding place from Ontho 3. Rat cage 4. Chest containing broken weapons 5. Hiding place from Snapper 6. Ontho's living pit
You can go directly from 3 to 6 through the ooze, though it will give you the stink effect (-3 CH) and you'll miss the chests at 4 and 5.
Wanted to keep going but update's will get too big and it's getting late. More soon!
I thought that was the biggest problem with the first game.
